Ignition Techniques (adapted from FL DOF) Interagency Prescribed Fire Training/ Fire Ecology and Management University of Florida

Objectives Characterize basic fire types Link fire types to ignition patterns Identify safety concerns Describe when to use what Methods of pile/windrow burning Develop an ignition plan (you will do this later in your Burn Plan)

Parts of a Fire SPOT FIRE FINGER HEAD Wind POCKET LEFT FLANK UNBURNED ISLAND RIGHT FLANK REAR

Types of Fires Surface Fire Ground Fire Crown Fire Burning in surface fuels Grass, shrubs, litter Ground Fire Smoldering in ground fuels duff, peat, roots, stumps Crown Fire Burning in aerial fuels Crowns or canopy of the overstory May or may not be independent of surface fire Photo: Univ. of Toronto Fier Lab Photo: News Provider

Types of Crown Fires

When do you need to apply your knowledge of ignition techniques When do you need to apply your knowledge of ignition techniques? Two situations: Prescribed Fire: “Fire applied in a knowledgeable manner to forest fuels on a specific land area under selected weather conditions to accomplish predetermined, well-defined management objectives” “A safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health, and reduce wildfire risk.” Suppression burning is the use of prescribed fire in a wildland fire situation

2 Types of Suppression Burning Counter Fire Burn-out

Counter Fire Fire applied to stop the forward spread of uncontrolled fire GENERALLY NOT USED IN I.A. NEED AT LEAST 2 CREW MEMBERS ONLY IN CERTAIN FUEL TYPES ( not blowy leaf!) ONLY BY EXPERIENCED firefighters HIGH RISK TIME CRITICAL

Burn-out: when? Often times on wildfires, control lines are established some distance from fire edge Pockets Inaccessible areas Pre-existing control lines Areas of lesser fuel concentrations

Learn the Basic Fire Types- Related to Wind OBJECTIVES Learn the Basic Fire Types- Related to Wind Characterize basic fire types Backing Head Flanking Link fire types to ignition patterns Identify safety concerns Describe when to use what Methods of pile/windrow burning Develop an ignition plan (you will do this later in your Burn Plan)

What are the FACTORS TO DETERMINE FIRING TECHNIQUES? OBJECTIVES for your burn Fuels consumption, wildfire control Ecological effects WIND SPEED & DIRECTION (why both?) SMOKE SENSITIVE AREAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY? Special hazards? CREW EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE

1. Backing Fire Used to establish baseline Generally safest Longer residence times Slowest R.O.S.’s (1-3 ch/hr) ROS determined by Fuel Moisture Excellent for heavy fuel loads Used to burn around values Generally not the primary technique Why not???

1. Backing Fire

1. Backing Fire BURNS INTO THE WIND

1. Backing Fire- wind is important

1. Backing Fire Windspeeds & fuel moistures When backfire is the primary technique, consider: Windspeeds & fuel moistures Establishing additional baselines Orienting burn blocks WIND

2. Strip-Head Fire Most frequently used technique Fastest method Can manipulate intensity with strip width and time interval Consider: Width of strips Changing weather conditions Changing fuel conditions Using spots where necessary Spotting potential Convection activity “Closing the door” too soon

2. Strip-Head Fire STAY BEHIND DOWNWIND IGNITOR!

2. Strip-Head Fire Intensity is controlled by line spacing and timing Spread rate is sensitive to windspeed

3. Flank Fire REMAIN IN SIGHT MAINTAIN PACE

3. Flank Fire Can be an excellent tool, burn large areas with less effort Uniform fire intensities Minimal spotting Good in diverse fuel types Consider: Winds (Dir. & Speed.)- must be steady! Number & experience of igniters- must be experienced! Communications & visibility (in unit) Conducive burn block orientation Using spot ignitions within the flanks Varying the flank ignition speed to control intensity

3. Flank Fire FIRE BURNS 90° TO WIND FLANK FIRE WIND WALK INTO WIND

3. Flank Fire- pace of ignition affects fire behavior

4. Point Source (Spot) Fire

4. Point Source (Spot) Fire Excellent for large areas (aerial ignition) Best technique for controlling intensities in various weather conditions Can be used in conjunction with strip head & flank technique Effective in heavy fuels Burn manager can control where convection occurs Quickest way to complete ignition

Point Source (Spot) Fire When spot firing, burn managers should consider how to change fire intensity: Width between spots Width between strips Changes in weather & fuels Location of spots Spotting potential Difficulty in maintaining grid Grid orientation to wind Fast burn, high convection (why?)

Point Source (Spot) Fire, initiation

Point Source (Spot) Fire- growth

5. Ring Fire

5. Ring Fire Access Objectives (overstory, smoke plume, speed) Traditionally used for site-prep Minimizes short range spotting Quick & easy Early “point-of-no-return” Traps wildlife, high intensity High convective heat transfer When using ring ignition, consider: Access Objectives (overstory, smoke plume, speed) Where to start Crew experience Begin with center point ignition

5. Ring Fire

How it’s really done: USE A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES OVER A RANGE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR MOSAIC BURN PATTERNS

SECUREING A BASE LINE…

LINE WIDTH?

>2X FLAME LENGTH

DO NOT “CLOSE THE DOOR”! CAN CAUSE FIRE WHIRLS (VORTICES)

USE CAUTION WALKING DOWNWIND!

USE CAUTION IN HEAVY FUELS

USE CAUTION ON SLOPES

USE CAUTION WHEN FIRES CONVERGE

ALWAYS WATCH WHAT YOUR FIRE IS DOING

FIRE GENERATED WINDS

KNOW LOCATIONS OF PERSONNEL & EQUIPMENT

Ignition steps Evaluate conditions, resources, and objectives to determine desired fire behavior. Test burn and evaluation Black line Ignition techniques Contingency plans

L.C.E.S. SAFETY should always be on your mind LOOKOUTS COMMUNICATIONS ESCAPE ROUTES SAFETY ZONES